42 Aviation News incorporating Jets September 2017O
ften referred to as the ‘Bug’ and
‘Super Bug’, Boeing’s F/A-18
Hornet and Super Hornet strike
ghters are the tactical workhorses
of US naval aviation.
They are assigned to 34 operational
naval squadrons, and each carrier air wing
typically deploys with around 40 of the strike
ghters. The single- and two-seat versions of
the ‘legacy’ or ‘classic’ Hornet are also own
by 11 operational US Marine Corps (USMC)
squadrons.
Since 1978, 1,049 production Hornets and
570 Super Hornets have been supplied to
the navy and marines – 371 F/A-18As and 39
F/A-18Bs, 476 F/A-18Cs and 163 F/A-18Ds,297 F/A-18Es and 273 F/A-18Fs. Additionally,
11 F/A-18As, two F/A-18Bs (originally F-18As
and TF-18As), ve F/A-18Es and two F/A-
18Fs were delivered under developmental
programmes.
Developed by McDonnell Douglas
and Northrop (now Boeing and Northrop
Grumman), the Hornet was conceived in
response to a US Navy (USN) requirement for
a multi-role ghter/attack aircraft (VFAX). The
prototype rst ew on November 18, 1978 and
the F/A-18A entered service in February 1981,
becoming operational in 1983 and rst seeing
combat over Libya in 1986.
The single-seat F/A-18C and two-seat
F/A-18D were the result of a block upgradeprogramme that initially provided new
computers, the AN/ALQ-165 airborne self-
protection jammer (ASPJ) and provisions for
carrying the AIM-120, AGM-65 and AGM-84
missiles with more upgrades subsequently
added. The F/A-18C/D entered production
in 1987 and a night attack capability was
incorporated beginning with Lot 12 production
aircraft.
Unlike the USN, which limited its two-seat
Hornets to the training role, the USMC put 96
F/A-18Ds into operational service with six all-
weather ghter attack squadrons. The aircraft
were assigned to numerous roles, including
air interdiction (AI), suppression of enemy
air defences (SEAD), close air supportHORNET &
SUPER HORNET
US NAVY STRIKE
FIGHTER FAMILY
ften referred to as the ‘Bug’ and 297 F/A-18Es and 273 F/A-18Fs. Additionally, programme that initially provided newFIGHTER FAMILY
Tom Kaminski assesses the US Navy’s Hornets
and Super Hornets and compares their capabilities.
A VFA-213 ‘Black Lions’ F/A-18F in the
process of being launched from the aircraft
carrier USS George H W Bush. US Navy/MC3
Matt Matlage42-47_hornetDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.indd 42 04/08/2017 14:45